Archive for November, 2010

The second round of the local authorities was held on 14 November 2010 and had two big surprises: Athens municipality was won by the PASOK and Democratic Left candidate Mr. Kaminis. The surprise is that the New Democracy had the government of the metropolis for more than twenty years. While there is an area in central Athens where there are grave incidents against the immigant population and where the neonazis got a majority the rest of the population showed a remarkable maturity.

In Thessaloniki a 75 year old ear wearing wine maker was elected despite the pronounced disapproval of the local Bishop Anthimos (well known for his nationalist views ). Mr. Boutaris is also a chain smoker, which makes him a kind of a hero at the present time.

Unfortunately the big winner was abstention!! For the first time abstention reached a 60% level and caused concern.

Politics and politicians are looked down upon as no more than common frauds ( I am being polite here) and the electorate has lost all trust in them.

It is 8.15 pm in Athens and the voting polls have closed since 7pm. Results are coming in very slowly and the first winner is abstention!!! Voting has been a civic obligation, safeguarded by the constitution. People who abstained from voting were punished. This law has become inactive for a few years and abstention has risen, especially among the young.

These elections introduce a new local authority that did not exist in Greece: that of regions. To be precise this rank of local authority existed but was appointed, now the Heads of the regions will be elected.

Another special feature of these elections was that the candidates were divided -roughly speaking – into those for and those against the Mnemonium (Mnemonium is the agreement signed with the IMF and the representatives of the EU). According to a poll presented just now on a private TV channel the majority of the Greek people are now convinced that this agreement was not necessary.

The New Democracy party (right wing, neoliberal), SYNASPISMOS – Coalition of the Radical Left, the Communist party form the anti – mnemonium “block”.

PASOK, the ruling social democratic party, LAOS = Popular orthodox rally, an ultra right, populist, xenophobic and racist party and the Democratic Left, a Eurocommunist party, form the block that considers the Mnemonium as a necessary evil.

Athens is one of the European capitals that hosts almost half the country’s population. Therefore the Attiki region is the largest and most interesting one. The lists with most chances and therefore more interesting are the following:

The PASOK (social democratic party) list is headed by Mr. Sgouros, former prefect.

The New Democracy (right wing neoliberal party) list is headed by Mr. Kikilias